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Reflections

How Self-Censored are You?

Taraz@tarazkp (86)2d

I haven't run a Poll for a very long time, but I thought I would do one to kick off Friday and as the question,

How Censored are You?

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There are a lot of discussions around censorship, especially on Hive in terms of downvotes But in a general sense, I believe that most of us censor ourselves quite heavily. Some people will of course say they never self-censor, to which I call bullshit - but to "each their own" fantasy. We censor when we fear the repercussions of saying what we think, or saying what we think and making a mess of it. We bite our tongue when we think we might hurt someone or, feel that we will face consequences we don't want to face. We censor when we feel we will lose and we will censor when we want to maintain someone's expectations of us, but what we will say undermines it.

We are very self-censored.

Most of the time though, I think it is self-centred reasons that cause us to censor, where we are trying to protect ourselves from perceived harms. Some of them might be realistic concerns, but many might by more ego based, where what would get harmed is our perception of ourselves. And in a way, self-censorship is a lie, isn't it? Like a parent not telling a child about their own young experiences, because they don't want their child to do the same, or they don't want their child to know that their parent didn't always act well either.

In general, I censor the way I speak also, but I don't censor what I speak about. In my opinion, there are no taboo topics and I think that we should especially spend time talking about the things that cause the most challenge to us as individuals, as well as a society. The rule of no talk about sex, money, religion, politics etc - what a fucking load of crap that is. Talk about the things we struggle with and get as much information and clarity as possible, so that we can make decisions from a stronger position.

Talk, talk, talk.

But, I also think that many of us these days don't have many people or anyone to talk to about much at all. Even people in strong relationships likely don't feel they can talk to their partner about everything. And there are people who are so censored on some topics that they won't even do an internet search to build clarity. Kind of silly, right?

So let's see. Below there is a Poll, but perhaps in the comments section we can have some discussions about the kinds of topics people want to talk about, but don't.

Note:

You can vote twice, one for how often, and one for who with.

Taraz [ Gen1: Hive ]

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Comments · 15

  • @roswelborges(74)· 1d

  • @relf87(76)· 1d

    I voted Always Sensor and Sensor with Strangers.

    These days, I feel like different groups of people can have very different views on many areas, be it politics, or even issues like what is happening in Middle East or in Ukraine, etc. So with strangers, I tend to be more reserved and just listen/observe what people say. I think I am more open-minded and I am curious to hear different perspectives with judgments, and have no issues agreeing to disagree, but I don't think everyone is like that. But with close friends or family, I think I am more open to share my views (if I am being asked about it). Hehe.

  • @seattlea(78)· 1d

    I sensor often and with everyone. People don't want to hear the truth... And often what I want to talk about is just not interesting to others.

    Also speaking the truth is frequently going to bring you nothing but trouble.

  • @macchiata(81)· 1d

    Growing up, I have no filter and censor at all. I got a quite a bit of trouble due to that. Even as an adult, I am still learning to filter and hold back myself, cause otherwise that brings up more unnecessary trouble and drama. Now that I am back in corporation, even more. But when it comes to topic, I have no filter and would encourage people to talk about it provided the context is right from anything taboo; sex, suicide and things people really consider weird.

  • @rishehri(59)· 2d

    I think we all experience some degree of self censorship Sometimes we keep quiet because we’re afraid that others will misunderstand us, that we’ll offend someone, or that we’ll cause unnecessary tension But I think there’s a difference between hiding our true thoughts and choosing the right way to express them We don’t have to say everything without considering others, but we should be able to talk about difficult topics freely and respectfully Honest conversations can help us understand ourselves and others much better.

  • @molometer(72)· 2d

    rule of no talk about sex, money, religion, politics

    That rule was created by our overlords to stop people actually discussing these matters.

    Can't have people actually thinking for themselves. If a topic cannot be discussed openly I'd say it was on shaky ground.

  • @amigoponc(70)· 2d

    Anyone who claims they never practise self-censorship is either deluding themselves or lacks basic social awareness. But there is a vital distinction between tact (refining how you express an idea so that it is constructive) and self-censorship born of fear or a desire to protect one’s ego.

    With strangers or online, keeping quiet is usually simply a matter of risk management. But with a partner or close family, what is at stake feels existential. Often we do not censor ourselves out of a lack of interest, but out of fear of upsetting the fragile balance of their expectations, or because we fear a conflict from which we cannot simply ‘log off’.

    The irony is that the topics people avoid most are not always the loud ones like politics; they are the quiet, complicated human realities: financial anxiety, sexual disconnection, extreme exhaustion or feeling lost. We keep these things hidden because maintaining the illusion of stability seems the easier option in the short term, even if, in the long run, it isolates us in silence. Is that all that remains for us older people after retirement?

  • @alonicus(72)· 2d

    What I censor varies depending on who I am talking to or where I'm posting.

    In most cases, it's because the topics I'm considering talking about have the kind of nuance that is impossible to convey online, where people see things as entirely black or white.

    But there are also cases where it's better to stay silent rather than say something you know will just cause upset. Not that I ever intend to deceive (my life is boringly straightforward !), but there's no point telling someone something that'll upset them if neither you nor they are at fault or able to do anything about it.

  • @valentin86(69)· 2d

    We censor when we fear the repercussions of saying what we think, or saying what we think and making a mess of it. We bite our tongue when we think we might hurt someone or, feel that we will face consequences we don't want to face.

    A judge, a doctor, a diplomat, a business owner, or even a parent may deliberately withhold thoughts, opinions, or information without being driven by fear. Sometimes restraint is responsibility.

    I dont know but there is a difference between self-censorship and self-control. If I remain silent because I fear consequences, that may be self-censorship. If I remain silent because I have evaluated the situation and concluded that speaking adds no value, that is judgment. Not every unspoken thought is a suppressed truth, and not every spoken thought is courage.

  • @videoaddiction(72)· 2d

    I sensor with strangers. I think there is a difference between being considerate and holding back because one may be afraid of how others will react.

  • @layaart(55)· 2d

    Sometimes we censor ourselves because others misjudge us we simply never know exactly who we're talking to.✨

  • @alto96(68)· 2d

    I voted often censore. In the recent past I suffered by not be self censored. People around me at work didn't like the things a said. Then I understood that I need to study the field before throw my words

  • @hivebuzz(74)· 2d

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  • @bozz(83)· 2d

    I tend to censor myself quite a bit. That's part of the reason I would never make it in a corporate environment. I just don't have a filter a lot of times or when I do, it comes across as me being gruff. On Hive I censor a bit because you never know who might stumble across my blog. Also, I have seen how quickly out of control things can get here between users when you just say whatever you want :) It's a sad reality! I guess in that case you might argue my HIVE persona is totally fake...

  • @tarazkp(86)· 2d

    The poll is available on Peakd and Ecency at least.